Scepticism by a thousand cuts

Smith, M. (2015) Scepticism by a thousand cuts. International Journal for the Study of Skepticism, 6(1), pp. 44-52. (doi: 10.1163/22105700-05011177)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Global sceptical arguments seek to undermine vast swathes of our putative knowledge by deploying hypotheses that posit massive deception or error. Local sceptical arguments seek to undermine just a small region of putative knowledge, using hypotheses that posit deception or error of a more mundane kind. Those epistemologists who have devised anti-sceptical strategies have tended to have global sceptical arguments firmly in their sights. I argue here that local sceptical arguments, while less dramatic, ultimately pose just as serious a challenge to our epistemic self-image and that some prominent anti-sceptical strategies are very poorly placed to meet it.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Smith, Dr Martin
Authors: Smith, M.
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Philosophy
Journal Name:International Journal for the Study of Skepticism
Publisher:Brill
ISSN:2210-5697
ISSN (Online):2210-5700

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record